PHILADELPHIA — The newly elected leader of Philadelphia's bus drivers and other transit workers, the man who led the union in a controversial six-day strike in 2009, said he hopes to have a new contract with SEPTA by March, when the current pact expires.

Willie Brown, who will resume the presidency of Transport Workers Union Local 234 on Oct. 14, said it would be "irresponsible" for him to outline specific economic goals before meeting with SEPTA negotiators next month.